Friday, May 30, 2014

Noted kashmiri poet , Translator, Literary Critic and Educationist Prof Ghulam Nabi Firaq ( Born 1922 ) is presently unwell .
He has been my English Teacher in S P College srinagar . After retirement ,
Prof . Firaq focused on his literary
work and also co founded a Premier Education institution known as STANDARD PUBLIC SCHOOL . Presently He lives with his son at Naushera
( Soura ) in Srinagar city.

Firaq sahib was born and brought up in Fatehkadal locality of downtown srinagâr city. He joined as Librarian at S P Collge Srinagâr and later completed his post graduation in English .He was amongst the pioneers of progressive movement in kashmiri poetry.

Prof. Firaq has authored
numerous books that include his poetic collections, Criticisms ,
Translations and essays . He writes in almost all forms that
include blank verse, free verse, sonnets, quatrains,
metric poems and lyrics. When we were in college , Almost every morning we would hear ( from Radio Kashmir ) noted Kashmiri Artist Padamshri Raj Begum sing his Gazal

“ Mokh Pron Bar Tchaav Subahaaai Subahaai .

Oundh Pokh Mushkyaav
Subahaai Subahaai

( That pretty face visited
me early, too early in the morning ..

The ambiance around is simply perfumed early , too early in the
morning ).

His poems have been sung
by almost all prominent singers
from Kashmir .

Firaq’s Poetic collection “Sada Ta samander” won him the prestigious
Sahitya Academy Award . His translations into kashmiri include Doctor Faustus by
Christopher Marlowe and Many Bangla Poems of Tagore . I remember
, Sometime in 1996 , he recovered from a
Cardiac problem with the help of a permanent
Pace maker. In 2013, Despite of his failing health , he
released his three new books Kher-ul-Bashar, Ravan Teol, Kashir-e-Watchnuk
Safar.

I join my friends and his
well wishers in Kashmir valley and in the plains of the country to wish him a speedy recovery and Good health.
He is a shining star on the horizon of kashmiri literature…

Monday, May 26, 2014

IT WAS DARK WHEN WE DEPARTED . WHO COULD WAIT FOR
THE TWLIGHT TO ARRIVE ? A VOICE FROM SOMEWHERE WITHIN KEPT SEEKING REPLY TO THE ONLY THE TORMENTING QUESTION ….

“ WHERE SHALL YOU GO NOW
? ”

I Add Lines from Moti Lal Saqi’s poem to this thought . The lines have been
rendered to simple English by me ..…..

Koat Gatchhukh subhayee Vaeini Naai
Gaash Pholl

Naag Joyee Pyaath vothh na
vaeni Sandhyaai Kaanh

Masheidi Mehraabus andher Katiejun Neindhar

Dhaan Dalas Munz Geill
Chha Traavithh Zeeth lar,

Kulleiy Laenjunn
sosaraai Cheinna vathharun Gatchhaan

Koat Gatchhukh ?

( Moti Lal Saqi )

Where shall you go so early ? It is not day break as yet.

None has yet come to perform *Sandhya with Spring Water ,

Even the swallows are fast asleep inside the *Mehraab of the Mosque ,

In paddy fields , *Geill Birds are still in deep slumber

Leaves of tree branches
have not turned restless as yet

Where shall you Go ?

( Autar Mota 26.05.2014 )

PS

*Geil ( kashmiri word ) is a sparrow like small black bird seen in paddy fields . It lays its eggs
and builds its nest in these fields only . After the Harvest ,this bird flies
away.

*Sandhya is the daily religious ritual of Hindus performed at the time of two twilights or the opening and the closing of the day . It is generally performed on river Banks or Springs or any other source of fresh water or even inside their dwellings . Sandhya was a "Daily practice" with kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir valley .

Friday, May 23, 2014

“ Where there is form , there is emptiness .And where there
is emptiness , there is form ”

So said the Kashmiri Buddhist scholar Kumarjiva ( 334 -413
AD )who crossed over to China to spread Buddhism .

Spread of Knowledge , Logic and
Philosophy has been the principal occupation of kashmiris during ancient and
medieval periods . When their land was won over by Buddhism,
they dived deep into its philosophy and carried forward its message to far off
lands undertaking arduous journey that meant crossing
lofty mountain passes . Once Shaivism arrived , these very people carried
its message in a philosophical form giving birth to a distinct school
of thought that came to be known asKashmir Shaivism.

In fact many present day Buddhist
scholars feel indebted to kashmiris scholars likeVAIRCONA, BUDDHYASAS ,BUDDHAJIVA ,
GUNVARMAN , SHAKYA SHRIBADRA , RATNAVAJRA DHARMMITRA, TYAGHBADRA , and
the Great KUMARJIVA for
spreading Buddhism in Asia . KUMARJIVA is responsible for
revolutionizing the Chinese Buddhist thought and shaping it in tune with
Mahayana Philosophy. He was an erudite scholar who translated
various Buddhist Texts into Chinese Language .KumarJiva is responsible
for the spread of Mahayana Buddhism not only in China but in
Central Asia as well. History tells us that a large number of kashmiri
Savants crossed the PAMIRS and moved to Central Asia ,
china and present day korea for spread of Buddhism . All of them are held
in high esteem by present day Buddhist scholars world over.

I vividly remember His holiness Dalai Lama saying( After he inaugurated the photo exhibition on ancient Buddhist historical places at Kala Kendra ,
Jammu in November 2011 )

“Kashmir held a significant place in Buddhism as the religion was
spread in China and Korea by monks who used the ancient “Silk Route” passing
through the region, to carry the Dharma to faraway places."

In the first half of last centaury, Pandit
Shridhar Joo Koul Dulloo (
1892-1967 ) also repeated what some glorious persons from Kashmir had
done to spread Knowledge and light amongst ignorant and
unaware .When Maharaja Hari Singh took over the reigns of the state
, He focused on Education , more specifically for women ,as a
high priority area. For this , he appointed a highly educated
English lady named Miss
E. Channer( Chaunner ) as Incharge of women Education in Kashmir . It
was in 1927 that Miss Channer ( Chaunner ) agreed to the idea of a kashmiri theosophist namely Srikantha Toshkhani with regard to
creation of a Women’s Welfare Trust. Many more
theosophists like Miss Margaret E. Cousins, Mrs.
L.D. Van. Gheel , Shridhar Joo Koul Dulloo and Aftab Koul Nizamat joined this Trust as its members . This group led by Srikantha Toshakhani worked
tirelessly for spread of Education amongst kashmiri women irrespective of caste
or religion.Both Pandits and
Muslims were reluctant to send girls to schools initially . This group
started with five primary schools for girls in Kashmir and prevailed
upon Miss Channer( Chaunner ) to start a separate school for Muslim
Girls from poor families who needed more time and attention on account
of their backwardness and total illiteracy back home . The number of Exclusive
schools for Muslim girls rose to three in 1929. Molvis and Purohits were also
brought inside these schools to impart religious Education . As time
passed , a large number of educated persons entered this arena and followed
the footsteps of this dedicated team .And by 1932 , there were
about 70 exclusive Girls schools in Kashmir valley.

In every meeting held byWOMEN
WELFARE TRUST ,
Shridhar Joo Koul Dulloo would always
say that they had kept one area of the state in total darkness . By this area
he meant Ladakh . Though many students would cross the Zojilla Pass and
visit his Rainawari residence in summer season for guidance
and studies ,he had a burning desire to move to ladakh and do
what his Team had done in Kashmir valley. A chance came his way in
1939 when Maharaja transferred him to Ladakh as Education officer
with clear directions to start the basic education module
over there and pull it out of the jungle of illiteracy. He did this job with
utmost dedication and devotion till 1948. Infact he is responsible for sending
the Ladakhis to schools and bringing them out from the Morass of
Darkness . For this ,Anybody who is somebody in Ladakh feels
grateful to Shridhar joo Dulloo .

During my visit to Leh in 2009, I found
every senior Ladakhi grateful to him . President All Ladakh Gompa Association
informed me that ladakhis had sent a memorandum to Bakshi
Ghulam Mohd in 1953 to appoint Dulloo ji as special
Secretary Ladakh affairs when Kushok Bakula was appointed as Deputy
Minister of Ladakh affairs . In fact Kushok ji had personally intervened
for this but some influential members within the ruling
party had opposed this move at that point of time.

The Owner of Lehling Book store in
Leh Bazar also informed me that Shridhar Joo Dulloo’s Book on Ladakh
remains much sought after item by
foreigners’ who visit her shop.

This selfless service in Ladakh brought him so close to Buddhist
culture and the message of Buddha that he eventually became
a Buddhist .He also gained enormous knowledge about the history and
culture of ladakh which is ably recorded in his Book “LADAKH
THROUGH AGES “ .

In an Article ,Late
Kushok Bakula , a
prominent leader from Ladakh and india’s ambassador to MONGOLIA has
written

“Generations of Ladakhis shall remain
indebted to Pandit Shridhar Kaul Dullo for his remarkable contribution
,pioneering work and legendry services to this region . He crossed the Zojilla
to spread light and dispel darkness , awakening Ladakhis from their deep
slumber . My gratitude shall always remain to this selfless
crusader of Modern education .”

In Motiyar Rainawari , Shridhar joo Dullo’s house was
virtually a Ladakh Sarai . Groups of boys would come from Leh and
stay with him . He even adopted a Girl namedDOLMA as his daughter . Dolma was educated
and finally married by Shridhar joo . Due to his Buddhist beliefs
,He named his two sons as Budhadev and Sidhartha . He had fairly good knowledge
of Bodhi language . Many close members of his family say that he would
always be seen with a Book in his hand . Reading and transferring
knowledge to a large number of his pupils . And in 1967
,Shridhar joo Koul Dulloo left for his heavenly abode in peace at his Motiyar Rainawari residence .

I conclude this post on Shrdhar Joo Dulloo With some lines of noted
kashmiri poet Moti Lal saqi

The youngsters do not know him. And the Number of elders who knew him
and adored him passionately is diminishing day by day . He was a stalwart and a
trend setter in an area that did not find favour in orthodox kashmiri Pandit
Society as it existed prior to 1947 . Yes I mean singing and dancing which he
started possibly when he was in his school .He was Pandit Gopi Nath Bhat (
1920-2001 ) a resident of Achhabal Adda Ananatnag in Kashmir valley . A Folk
singer ,a Dancer , a Composer and an adept instrumentalist who could play the
Harmonium , Tumbaknaari , Rabaab , Tabla , Banjo , Noet ( Matka ) , Ghaagar ,
Chimtaa , Khasu and Thaali . He sang Leelas , Naats , Chhakri and sufiana
kalaam . He also sang urdu Qawalis and Gazals in his own style .

Apart from singing and playing musical instruments , Gopi Nath ji was a
Master in BACHA NAGMA dance form of kashmir valley . He had profound knowledge
of HAFIZ NAGMA form as well. Quite often , he would himself Perform Bacha Nagma
after wearing the traditional Jaama ( Dress for Dancing ) and enthrall any
gathering with his superb dancing talent especially the footwork and facial
gestures . Connoisseurs of his art still remember his “ Thaali ( Plate )
Spinning ” that he used to hold in one hand . Possibly the first Kashmiri
Pandit who ventured in this field in an Orthodox Kashmiri Pandit society.

Gopi Nath Ji sang Ahad Zargar , Shams Faqir , Rasool Mir , Master Zinda
kaul , Parmnand , Sochha Kraal , Assad Ullah Mir , Wahab Khaar and many more
Sufi and Bhakti poets of Kashmir. It was amazing to see him singing all these
poets from his own memory . He also sang Mehjoor, Azad and Naadim songs for
select gatherings . His singing was restricted to Private gatherings, Marriage
Parties, Janam Ashtami Celeberations ,IDD celebrations, Mal Maas Bhan Maas at
Martand and Jyeshta Ashtami Mela at kheer Bhawani shrine Tulamula . He would
also sing Naat and Munajaat during Urs Gatherings at various Dargaahs in
Kashmir .

For his dancing talent , Pandit Gopi Nath Ji was known as Gupa Bacha in
Kashmir . He has the distinction of singing before many saints and sages of
Kashmir that included Swami Lakshman Joo, Nand Lal Mastana (Nand Mot ) Faqir
Assad Ullah Sahib, Lassa Sahib , Salaam Sahib and Bhagwan Gopi Nath Ji.

Though he sang for Radio, TV , Song and Drama Division and Field
Publicity Division , Gopi Nath ji had some aversion for singing at these
centres and institutions. Late Mohan lal Aima brought him to Radio kashmir and
Recorded three compositions But Gopi Nath ji did not show any inclination for
Radio singing .

Another trait of his personality was contentment . Never did he seek
any personal favour from Any person though he was well known to every one in
Bureaucracy and Government . And not even from Bakshi Ghulam Mohd who himself
was a lover of his singing style. He was also somewhat averse towards getting
his singing recorded . .

A Devout Hindu who believed in Sadhna and Bhakti , Pandit Gopi Nath Ji
was also a follower of Dervish Rahim Sahib of Kashmir. He was known for singing
Lal Vaakh and Shrukh of Nund Reshi in such a passionate style that turned eyes
of most of the listeners moist.

After displacement from Kashmir valley ,this Great son of Kashmir died
unknown and unsung in Nagrota jammu …..

I end this brief post with two lines of Noted Kashmiri Poet Ghulam Nabi Firaq .. The lines are Touching and painful.

Master ji was a mystic poet. He was also respected as a Spiritual Guru by a large number of his
friends and admirers . He struggled all along his life with so many odds of
existence . Master ji composed poems in Urdu , Persian and Hindi language.Some say that his kashmiri poetic collection "Sumran " was
born after the death of his young son. What a punishment is it for a father to
outlive his son ? Composed in 1944,the below mentioned poetic lines are from his collection " Sumran ". I have tried to render the
lines to simple English....... .

He who has been waiting for some one at the window,And waiting With Tears running down his eyes since an age , .For what should he cultivate a desire to see the beautiful Waterfall !What joy shall a visit to the Shalamar garden bring him ?

Nobel Laureate Sir V S Naipaul ( Born 1932 ) stayed in this Hotel for
about five months in 1963..His popular book “ An Area Of Darknesss ” was written in
this Hotel only. Aziz, Ali Mohd and Mr Mohd Sidiq Butt were from this Hotel
only. Aziz the clever helper , Ali Mohd the person who brought guests from
Tourists Reception Centre and Mr Butt the owner . Ali Mohd and Mr Butt are no
more . Aziz is alive and an old man who owns the Hotel at the moment . He has
diversified his business..

I quote from Naipaul’s Book "An Area of Darkness "

Naipaul writes that the Hotel Board read as under ....

HOTEL LIWARD

Prop: FLUSH SYSTEM M
.S. Butt

See what Sir Naipaul writes about Mr M S Butt and Aziz

( 1)“ . I was asked by Mr Butt to write a petition to the
Director Transport for more frequent Bus services to DalLake
area .I drafted it and typed it . The electric bulb inside the room gave poor
light .I complained about the weakness of the electric Bulbs and asked for one
to be replaced . At this Mr Butt said “ Two rupees ! Three rupees !. You buy ,
I buy , What difference ?” I did not really feel I could object . I bought .”

(2) Both Aziz and
Mr Butt would ask me to speak to tourists who were brought from Tourist
Reception centre to the Hotel by Ali Mohd .I was jealous . I wanted the Hotel
to myself .Aziz understood ,and he was like a parent comforting a child . “ You
will eat first . You will eat by yourself .We give you special .This is not Mr
Butt Hotel . This your Hotel.” Sometimes Aziz would raise one hand and say “
God send customer ”

(3)With summer season, flies too entered the Hotel rooms
.These settled on my hands even while I worked and for several mornings in
succession I was awakened before six by the buzzing of a single FLIT surviving
fly. To this Aziz promised Mosquities .Mosquitoes would rout the flies . To him
fly was an act of God . One afternoon I saw him happily asleep in the kitchen ,
his cap on his face ,black with contended flies .I had asked for Flit and more
Flit but for Aziz Mosquitoes were the solution. Then one day I asked for Ice.
And aziz said

“ Anybody do not like ice . Ice is heating. ”

And this reply led to one of our silences .”

(4) One day Aziz brought a college student to the Hotel and
introduced him as Bashir . Bashir was nineteen . Bashir introduced himself
saying “ I am best sports person . I am best swimmer . I know all chemistry and
all physics . I am inter-dined .” Bashir brought another friend to the hotel
who introduced himself as kadir . kadir had small eyes and a square gentle
face. He was studying engineering and wanted to be a writer .Bashir added “ He
is best Poet ”. The best poet’s shirt was , open at the neck , was dirty .
There was hole in the top of his pullover .

Bashir added “ He is great drinker . Too much of whiskey”
And this was a proof of his talent.

In India
poets and Musicians are required to live the part : It is necessary to be sad
and alcoholic .

I said to kadir “ Do you really drink ?”

“ Yes “ he said .

Bashir ordered him to recite his poem .

Kadir said “ But he will not understand urdu ”.

Bashir said “ I translate ”.

And Qadir recited .

Bashir added “ He talk about poor Boatman’s daughter in the
poem. She give colour to the rose . You get it Mister . Another man would say
that the rose gives her colour . He say she give colour to rose . ”

“That is beautiful ” I said .

The discussion switched over to sheikh Mohd Abdullah .kadir
said

“ I will give you one example of the greatness of sheikh
Mohd Abdullah.One year , you know, the crops failed and people were starving
.They went to sheikh Abdullah and said . “ Sheikh Abdullah , we have no rice .
We are starving .Give us rice.” To this sheikh Abdullah said “ Eat Potatoes ”.
Humour was not intended . The advice was sound ”

( 5 ) “When I decided to go for Amarnath yatra Aziz said

“ You want a cook . You want a coolie . You want sweeper .
You want seven pony. ”

And Each pony came with its owner . This would make fourteen
of us altogether , Not counting animals , with Aziz in charge .

I began pruning “ No Cook “”

Aziz said “ He not only cook., Sahib he guide .”

The cook was Aziz Protégé . The cook had revealed to me that
he could not walk and he needed a pony. He had also sent a word from the
kitchen through Aziz that he also needed a pair of New shoes for the journey.
In the meantime Mr Butt had summoned an English knowing scribe from the lake
who had prepared rough estimate for the Yatra. It was a remarkable document ,an
unfamiliar language and an unfamiliar script and most of its approximations
understandable . Too understandable . I was being overcharged .

1 From Srinagar
to Palguime boy Bus Rotine Rs30=

2 Roding Poine Rotine Rs150=

3 Pakige Ronie Rotine Rs100=

4 Tente a kachen Rs25=

5 Tabel chare bed Rs15=

One Colie Rs30=

6 Sweeper Rs 20=

7 Extre Loding and Noey Lodin Colie Rs20=

8 from 11 august to 17 august 7 day

Conteri food Rs161=

__________________________________________________

_________________________________Total______Rs551___________

If you are going Bus
for Imri Nath then is last 100 Rs.......

(7) On my departure day , Mr Butt assembled the servants for
the tipping ceremony. Ali Mohd , Aziz , The Gardener and the cook ………….. The tonga
roof sloped low . We had to lean forward to see the lake and the mountains .
The town was awakening from minute to minute and the Tourist Reception Centre ,
when we got to it , was infernally alive.

“ Three Rupees .” The Tongawala said .

I paid two. The Tongawala refused to touch the notes. I
offered no more . He threatened me with his whip. I seized him by the throat.

Aziz intervened

“ He not Tourist ”

“ Oh, ” said the Tongawala . He dropped his whip and I
released him. Our own seats had now been secured and out bags placed below the
Tarpaulin on the roof of the Bus . We shook hands with Aziz and Ali Mohd and
went inside .

“ You do not worry about Tongawala sir. I settle . ” said
Aziz.

There were tears in his eyes. The engine started .

“ You do not worry sahib. Correct fare three rupees . . I
pay. ” said Aziz .

Through the window I pushed out some notes . He took them .
Tears were running down his cheeks . Even at that moment , I could not be sure
that he had ever been mine . ”

And NAIPAUL, with his
sharp observations, describes the life of lake dwellers ( Dal lake ) in
such a manner as is easily identifiable for any person who has moved inside
the this lake . I quote

(1 ) “ The Hotel stood on one of the main Boat lanes ,the
silent Highways of the lake .In the morning the flotilla of grass laden boats
passed , paddled by women sitting cross legged at the stern , almost level with
the water . ”

(2) “The clouds fell
low over the mountains ,sometimes in a level bank
and sometimes shredding far into the valleys . The temple at the top of
the Shankarcharya hill , one thousand feet above us , was hidden . We would
think of the lonely Brahmin up there ,
with his woolen cap and small charcoal Brazier ( Kangri ) below his pinky brown blanket ”.

(3) “ The lake was rich . It provided for all. It provided
weeds and mud for the vegetable plots ……..A boy twirled his bent pole in the
water , lifted and he had a bundle of rich dripping weed . It provided fodder for animals .It
provided reeds for thatching .It provided fish , so numerous in the clear water
that these could be seen just below the steps of the busy Ghat…….On some
days the lake was dotted with fishermen
who seemed to be walking on water : They stood erect and still on the edge of
their barely moving boats , their Tridents raised , their eyes as sharp as those of the kingfishers on the willows .”

“ AN AREA OF DARKNESS
” By Sir V S Naipaul is RECOMMENDED for enjoyable reading .More than 50% of the
book is on Kashmir of 1963..